 Poster: A snowHead
|
|
Sounds good but I'll wait a while. Seems details of what is opening, etc aren't finalised yet.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
More people around here this week and "après ski" has returned to an extent. Several places are selling vin chaud etc to take away and groups are accumulating to drink there. I saw a group of Brit permanent youngish "seasonaires" outside one of the hotels, 8 perhaps. Bound to happen tbh.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
I'm in Lyon atm. But apparently it's pretty busy back in 2 Alpes. I saw a lot of traffic heading that way as I left on Saturday.
Lyon is similar tbh. Fairly big groups drinking outside bars or eating outside restaurants. Plus of course buses, metro and shopping areas. Masks are compulsory outside here but a lot of people ignoring that.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Do those that live in France believe there will be another lockdown after school holidays or the government do not have the stomach for it, financially or public demonstration?
If a lockdown is required shows how much of a political decision it is rather than health if they defer until after to half term to stave off backlash. If it genuinely is required public holidays really shouldn't feature in the decision making process.
In the UK feels like we could be in a never ending lockdown cycle then into tiers even with a vaccine roll out perhaps the same will happen in France. If that does happen the lifts won't turn next season either. Should be in Flaine now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Is the tier system really going to return?
I rather liked the quote i was sent showing the absurdity of tiers:
"Having some ares in Lockdown and some areas not is like having a peeing section in a swimming pool"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In some respects France has been tougher and more consistent than UK. Curfew from 6 to 6 and bars, restaurants and cafes closed since late October. Yes shops are open other than large shopping centres. Schools open too. Lockdowns have always been tough here unlike UK which has only recently cottoned onto that. There hasn't been the big spike here that the UK had. Who knows tbh if numbers go the wrong way I expect another lockdown.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
@Jonpim, I'm not sure on tiers I do hope not. The goalposts do appear to keep moving so anyone's guess.
@Claude B, Must be soul destroying living in the Alps and not seeing it thrive. Certainly looks as if lifts won't turn this season particularly on the back of the Italy news, they must be reeling after spending money in preparation for lifts to start today. Half a season lost last year, all season this year lift co's must be getting close to closure. Enjoying looking at webcams but it's also like poking an open wound!.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@James77, what I hear (although I am definitely under the impression that @davidof is way better informed than I am ...) is that another strict lockdown would be somewhat resisted.
As it is, Chamonix is pretty busy. Touring and XC kit is, well, hard to get hold of. The bars that rae open for takeaway seem to be doing well enough. And atmosphere is not far off normal.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
How are the local infection rates going?
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
| pam w wrote: |
| How are the local infection rates going? |
On the Espace Killy thread, Steve Angus said that last week Tignes had between 250 and 500 cases per 100,000 and Val D over 1000.............
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It wouldn't surprise me at all if the rates shoot up .... In Courchevel yesterday the car park for the piste they have groomed was rammed, huge queues for the take away food/drinks and loads of people in town - actually busier than I have ever seen it in a normal season. Very organised and controlled - everyone masked up and socially distanced but still very busy. The problem is that although there are less people overall in resort...they are now all confined into a smaller space rather than right across the mountain. A friend of ours runs a ski shop here and has been really busy the past two weeks although he can't get enough touring skis/snowshoes etc. to meet demand......which is also causing anger from some of the Parisiens visiting when they realise they arrived too late to bag any.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
I looked at the st gervais web cams yesterday, lots of people about
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
Was just looking at the Les Arcs cams and certainly lots of people about - sledging, learning to snowboard etc
Surprisingly not jealous as would drive me mad being in ski resort but unable to ski!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
Read in the press this morning (which of course means it may be rubbish!) that hospitals have been asked to clear the decks and implement their crisis plans from 18 February. The proportion of new cases down to the variants has been rising, add in school holiday mixing and it seems likely they may be anticipating a significant increase in cases that might trigger another tightening of restrictions?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
@homphomp, In France I assume?
Not heard anything like that in UK and Mrs B generally gets heads up early
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
@Boris, yes...sorry thought that would be a given with the title of the thread, should have been clearer!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
@homphomp, I was 99% certain, given thread and your location, but thought I'd check.
Given rates seem to be dropping I'd be surprised, even allowing for holidays. Heck in UK rates are dropping and as far as I can tell there's no lockdown going on here anymore
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
@Boris, overall rates are dropping but variant rates are rising, not exponentially but enough to be concerning. Cynic that I am I suspect that articles like this in the press are somewhat designed to remind people of the need to behave with a modicum of common sense.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
@homphomp, I'd be inclined to agree with you - cases/deaths all falling here, but not being reported in media as a positive news story. My namesake got another press conference this evening - sure it will be full on scare tactics and behave yourselves
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@Boris, let’s hope so. We have seen the alternative when people don’t.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We've given up for this year. Normally, we drive to Switzerland from the UK but that was a non-starter with the ban on foreign travel so we booked a cottage near Glenshee for half term (this week) and, of course, that's gone down the pan too. At least we got a full refund. I don't have any time at Easter so that's the end of it unfortunately.
Luckily, we got one in last year (Lenzerheid is highly recommended) but this year is a blow-out. Really hoping it gets back to normal next year...
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
Overall rates aren’t even dropping that much. Hopefully Macron saves half term is going to work out better than Boris saves xmas.
Maybe they’re thinking if they give people this then they’ll tolerate more restrictions until Easter, and then after that summer weather will help them out and by autumn vaccines will be enough.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Looking at the stats, the 7 day average for deatths & new cases in France is fairly level but falling rapidly in the UK
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
I was surprised to see all the magic carpets running in Val Thorens yesterday, with quite a few using them... Surely, putting people together in a small, enclosed tunnel is a far better way to spread the virus, than say sitting on a chairlift?!
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I can only hope that we are allowed back in time for the summer
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
We have a French/Italian road trip booked for June, which is planned to incorporate driving round Dordogne - over to Milan, via Val D'Isere for a morning skiing on the Pisallis Glacier, seeing Foo Fighters in both Milan then again in Nimes 4 days later and home.
Not very likely is it!!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
not when you read figures like 1000 per 100,000 in Val D'Isere. Edinburgh is on 61 (that is not a typo it is 61) & she is still only thinking about opening schools for the under 7's. Everything else is total lockdown, so no it doesnt sound promising, sorry.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
But what is the year round population of Val d'isere, is that before or during holidays? We have population of 2000, has been very low. Rammed this week, likely to rise.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
| Claude B wrote: |
| But what is the year round population of Val d'isere, is that before or during holidays? We have population of 2000, has been very low. Rammed this week, likely to rise. |
Have a look on the Val / Espace Killy thread, but iirc those numbers were the week before holidays?
You can only hope that those mixing with the tourist population closely either dont have it, or caught it several weeks ago. If not, then you can see some urban areas (Paris for example) taking a spike in a couple of weeks.
It seems strange that it is so easy to move around France.
As Jonny says, we are very restricted in Scotland - even if someone (like a neighbour of mine) had a cottage near the ski resorts here it is illegal to travel to them - and the ski stations / restos / pubs are all closed anyway.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
But when France is in lockdown I can't go further than 1km for 1 hour. Not in lockdown atm but 6 to 6 curfew.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
So in VdI 1000 in 100000 was perhaps only a handful given the small population.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| Claude B wrote: |
| But when France is in lockdown I can't go further than 1km for 1 hour. Not in lockdown atm but 6 to 6 curfew. |
Yes, but that is the very think the thing I find odd, the huge disparity between those extremes -
Lockdown - 1km / 1 hour
All other times? travel as far as you want to wherever you want within that 12 hour period.
Anyhow, I guess we will find out how all these strategies play out in the next few months.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
France has been pretty flat since Christmas we didn't have the huge spike that the UK had. It remains to be seen if the holidays will have a big detrimental impact.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
the webcams for Saint Gervais does show a lot of people up the hill, doing everything but skiing but in saying that it is no different from the amount of sledging I saw around Edinburgh with recent snow.
I think everyone is now starting to struggle with the restrictions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No idea how it's allowed, but my brother is (in about half an hour) driving from his home near Biarritz to go skiing/boarding for a few days in the Pyrenees.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
@Jonny996, there are a fair number on skis as well, presumably having got up the mountain under their own steam. (For example top of Mont Joux, makes me wonder if the Folie Douce is selling takeaway drinks).
@Claude B, I agree, France has done pretty well though I am sure they feel the plateau of cases is at too high a level. But the comparison with the UK is instructive, we would almost certainly have avoided the huge January spike if Johnson hadn't opened up so massively after our November lockdown.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I do wonder if any enterprising locals with a skidoo are offering lifts up the mountain?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
. I'm not planning on going to Italy before May so hope things have opened up a bit by then with the arrival of early summer.
